Benefits for Veterans with Mesothelioma or Lung Cancer
While the VA provides many different benefits to veterans, the benefits that are most applicable to veterans with asbestos diseases are Disability Compensation and VA Health Care. Surviving spouses of veterans who died from asbestos diseases may also be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
Our veterans department is highly experienced in helping veterans apply for VA Benefits. To have one of our veteran's counselors contact you to evaluate your situation and/or assist you in applying for VA Benefits, contact our Veterans Department to provide your contact information and one of our veteran's counselors will contact you.
Disability Compensation
Disability Compensation is a monthly benefit paid to the veteran based on the veteran’s disability level (0% -100%). Because cancers are only rated as 100% disabling, once approved for mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer, the veteran begins receiving a monthly benefit which starts at $2,673 per month.
The benefit can be increased depending on how many dependants the veteran has. In order to qualify, the veteran must have been discharged from the military under any condition other than dishonorable, and he/she must provide information that they contracted their asbestos illness because of their military service.
For Mesothelioma and Asbestos Lung Cancer, the veteran must convince the VA that their asbestos illness is “as likely as not” to have been caused by asbestos exposure on active duty. Basically, this means that at least half of the veteran’s lifetime exposure to asbestos must have occurred on active duty. Additionally, lung cancer sufferers must have medical evidence from their doctor to convince the VA that their lung cancer is “as likely as not” to have been caused by asbestos and not some other, more likely cause, such as smoking.
Our veterans department is highly experienced in helping veterans write their “exposure summary” and in applying for Disability Compensation. To have one of our veteran’s counselors contact you to evaluate your situation and/or assist you in applying for VA Disability Compensation for an asbestos cancer, contact our Veterans Department to provide your contact information and one of our veteran’s counselors will contact you.
Health Care Benefits
Eligibility for VA Health Care benefits within the VA medical program is defined by a classification system that categorizes veterans based on a series of "priorities" which rank veterans based on their service connected disability level or income level, as well as some special circumstances such as if the veteran was ever a POW, earned a Purple Heart, or was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam.
For Veterans with Asbestos illnesses, enrollment will depend on whether that asbestos illness is considered “service related” by the VA. However, even if the veteran’s asbestos illness is not “service connected”, he/she may qualify based on their income level. The VA uses two different income limits: a National Income Threshold and a Geographical-Adjusted Income Threshold. Veterans qualifying for VA Health Care based on income may be required to agree to pay copays for health services.
For assistance in determining whether you may be eligible for VA Health Care, contact our Veterans Department to provide your contact information and one of our veteran’s counselors will contact you.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
DIC is a monthly benefit of $1154 paid to the surviving spouse of a veteran who passed away from a “service-connected” disability. If the veteran was already receiving Disability Compensation from the VA for Mesothelioma or Asbestos Lung Cancer at the time of his death, and the veteran passed away from that disease, then the spouse is eligible for DIC and simply needs to file a DIC claim with the VA. However, if the veteran was not “service-connected” for his asbestos disease, then the spouse may be eligible for DIC, but will need to provide additional information to the VA regarding the veteran’s exposure to asbestos, both in, and out of the military.
Our Veterans Department can assist surviving spouses in applying for DIC. Simply contact our Veterans Department to provide your contact information and one of our veteran’s counselors will contact you.
-
05/24/2012 -
One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
-
05/23/2012 -
A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
-
05/23/2012 -
School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..
© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
